Inside Information: Hotels

Best Western goes upscale in Paris.The move is intended to make it easier for many U.S. travelers to find hotels with European character that also meet the standards they are accustomed to at home, such as hair dryers and data ports for laptop computers. Examples: Best Western, Elysees Regencia41 Avenue Marceau, Paris43 rooms near the haut couture district on the Champs-ElyseesPrice: $200-$370 a night Best Western, Eiffel Park Hotel 17 Bis Rue Amelie, Paris36 rooms with balconies, terrace solarium and satellite television.Price: $160-$200 a nightThe taxi passes CDG2’s terminal C, takes a small slip road and arrives at the Sheraton, surely the most “airport” of all airport hotels, for it is right there—you can practically touch the planes.  Yet, this is a quiet, luxurious establishment with 254 rooms (12 suites). There’s a mixed business meeting/airline passenger clientele but the hotel has none of the bustle, say, of the Frankfurt Airport Sheraton. It’s a good choice for those who want to be pampered overnight, not too expensively, before taking international flights. The opposite entrance-exit door, reached by a marble corridor, leads to a 100 meter, covered walkway to Terminal C with its flights to the US. The TGV station with links to Brussels and Amsterdam is right underneath the hotel as is the RER high-speed metro link to Paris. Aside from the sheer convenience of all this, the hotel boasts rooms designed by French star decorator Andree Putman and probably the best airport restaurant in the world, Les Etoiles. The French– unpredictable people– have built the main atrium (and the hotel itself) in a curved form, like a ship. It’s a sexy place to find at an airport. A recent Brian de Parma thriller had a beautiful terrorist, fresh from a heist at the Cannes casino, doing all sorts of things in the executive rooms (In the movie, she was also the wife of the American ambassador to Paris!De Parma obviously liked the hotel, but has misgivings about the US foreign service). Nothing like that on my night there, the only purring came from the discreet service. The room: Champagne was on ice in the spacious fourth floor executive double with its Queen size bed, a large divan (or sofa), an elegant swivel bar and TV. A long work desk had plugs for high-speed Internet access (available also from the huge TV), a pop-up vanity mirror and the most incredible double-glazed windows. One can see the 747s below, but not hear them at all. Only the Concorde’s roar slightly penetrates this man-made sound barrier. There’s a fascinating view of activity on Terminal C’s apron. oom colours are soft, the woods teak, the bathroom finished in marble. Highlights: Guests on the executive floor are spoiled– small fitness club and sauna, executive lounge, a Jacques Dessange beauty salon for men and women offering facials, manicure, foot massages and many other pre-flight treatments. Prices: 40 to 60 euros. Butler service, too. Food: If you want more than the body clock cuisine medaillon de lotte, filet de bouef are available via room service, Les Etoiles gourmet restaurant (open Monday to Friday) is an eye opener. It’s as if a top Parisian restaurant has been transported to the airport. John Dory… baby lamb… great desserts. 50e without wine. There’s a second restaurant and a comfortable bar, as well. Rooms are the same size with price variations dependent on service. Prices: 230 to 300 euros. Sheraton Paris Airport, Aérogare Charles de Gaulle 2 (Terminals C and D) Tel 33-(0)1-4919-7070. Fax: 33-(0)1-4919-7071. International Toll Free: 0800 90 65 35. www.sheraton.com/parisairport Bonjour Paris is pleased to have Alan Tillier as a contributor.